To keep them alive, those microorganisms require several conditions, such as low temperature, less acidity, and less exposure to oxygen. Every shopper selecting the probiotic products to consume should know the issues related to the storage and handling of those products.
First, probiotics rarely survive when exposed to heat. Probiotic brands, such as yoghurt and milk drinks, require constant low temperature. Opening the product or a tampered seal signals the dangers of exposing the microorganisms to the air.
They slowly die once exposed to oxygen. Lastly, most probiotic products consist of dairy products because the bacteria have higher chances of survival in that type of non-acidic or alkaline environment.
Some probiotic brands have falsely advertised unfounded claims or exaggerated scientific reports. Although their consumption helped with the patient's recovery and brought inordinate relief to them, these live microorganisms were not directly involved in curing the disease.
The consistent consumption may result to prevention of some intestinal problems, such as antibiotic-associated diarrhea. However, when the patient stops consumption even for a few days, the disease comes back in force.
By then, the bacteria that cause the ailment may have developed tolerance against the specific strains of good bacteria.
Another concern for shoppers is the natural occurrence of the good bacteria in intestinal flora. Some probiotic brands have created or modified their proprietary bacteria to last longer in storage and produce stronger effects against specific harmful bacteria.
However, these types of bacteria are not natural inhabitants of the human digestive tract. In effect, consumers who drink or eat food containing these modified bacteria may be introducing alien forms into their bodies.
Hopefully, the scientists who modified these bacteria observed due process in biological testing before they released the probiotic brands for human consumption. Letting these microorganisms loose in the human digestive system could be harmful instead of helpful.
No one knows the efficiency of the modified bacteria against other types of bacteria -- good as well as bad.
Consumers, who wanted the health benefits that probiotic brands deliver, but do not want the associated health risks, should switch to prebiotics instead.
Prebiotics, such as dietary fibers, naturally occur in fresh fruits and vegetables albeit in small amounts. Prebiotic supplements, such as fortified juice drinks or fermented whey drinks mixed with green tea, provide safer resources for building a healthy intestinal flora.
In turn, prebiotics remain longer inside the system and bring more health benefits, such as boosting immunity and prevention of colon cancer.
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